Parachute pack



Aug. 22, 1950 c. L. NOELCKE, SR

PARACHUTE PACK 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Oct. 9, 1946 INVENTOR. C M'L L.Nona 5,84:

C. L. NOELCKE, SR

Aug. 22, 1950 PARACHUTE PACK 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Oct. 9, 1946ATTORNEYS C. L. NOELCKE, SR

PARACHUTE PACK Aug- 2g, 1950 Filed Ot. 9, 1946 3 Sheets-Sheet 3INVENTOR. (2W4 1... 14 051. 0. /5,

ATTORNEYS.

Patented Aug. 22, 1950 'PARAGI-IUTE mon .GarhL. Noelcke,Sr.,:Cincinnati,-.Ohio

Applicationflctobcr 9, 1946," Serial'No; "702,338

(Chan-14s) :l9 iGlaims.

:1 My :invention relates ==to parachutes of novel and 4 improved 1construction, and has among its principal :objects ithe provision of a"structure My parachute is comfortable "to wear and therefore is 'lesslikely to be "detached from the person of the wearer. V

The" pack construction is such that itten'ds to control the initial fallof the j umper priorito the time theparachute opens, byminimizingorpreventing'tumblingas hereinafter explained, so asvery'greatly'to lessenthe chance of fouling.

Myparachute pack acts in such manner inthe air stream'as'to assume aproper position'for the release of the parachute prior .to .suchre.lease and .toremovethe,pointofrelease as far .as .possible .from theperson .of the .wearer, .so as again .to prevent .fouling vand injury to.the

wearer. from! paracutepartswor appurtenances.

The .discharge .of my parachute is so controlled as .to permitsubstantially .full -vextension of. the parachute proper prior -.to. itsinflation by the air stream.

Theobjects otmy invention include thepro- '.v-ision.of-structuresrinwhich the aforesaideop erational advantages may be-obtained,.--as wellas thesolution of :mechanical .,problems in-con- .nection atherewith.

.Theseeands other: objects of my invention-which :will be :clear tothose :-skilled in -:the art :in :the light of 1 my. teachings,I,-laccomplish;byrthat con- .struetion and-arrangement of .partsof whichI shall :now describe :certain :exemplary embodia ments. Referencelis-made to 1 the accompanying drawings wherein:

Figure 1 is a perspective .view: of my: assembled parachute pack'showing the side wornnext the person i of the user.

Figure 2 is a similar merspective showing 1 the other side .of the pack.

Figure 3 shows;theipack;as it is disposed when the useris seated.

iEi-gure :is .a perspective zview, :with :parts out will .be .set forthlater in these specifications or away, of a hood or cap forcoveringthesendio'f any ceasing.

.Figure 5 is: a perspective NiGW With parts-rout away'showingthe-disposition of theparachute in :the casing.

"Figure 6 is a perspective view of analternative form of :thecasing.

any desired parac'hut harness, to which it will be attachedinsuitablemanner, for which reason -I have not s'hown a harness herein.

The para-chute itself may be any recognized fornrof parachute usable inthe-art. l-have il- 'lustrated no particular style, excepting *that itcomprises an inflatable fabric body to which cords are attached, thecords being inturn 'fas- 'tenedin groups to parachute straps (usually-feur in number) *to permit control of the *parachute during-descent,asis'-wel1 understood i in thiszart.

' The parachute straps are used to --fasten st-he structure to theharness on the person :of ithe user.

Briefly in the practice of =my invention :1 fold and enclose the lparachute 1 in an: elongated $63.5- ing closed -'at one end'except for 1means 'for the passage. of 5 the straps. This: elongated .z-easingiis:sachas:to extend approximately:fromithe shouldersito 'thel knees of".the user, so; asi'toz form, when Ithe user is seated, both a back zrestand a 1; seat portion. iThe parachute :issoftmackediin-the easing, which.not: only preserves :lthe @parachute (since. crimping: under: heavyDIGSSllE-E jSjflVOidBd) but-simplifies parachute :maintenanoe since:repacking :of .nnused parachutes is rrequired'less often. .-=A-lsotthesoft-pack-supplies: sufficient. cushioningr to" render padding-orsponge-rubber-cushions needless, though they may be employed .if.desired."

'iTheipack. is sufficiently. flexible: to; hang straight when thezuserdsstandinganri to 'bend whemthe user is sitting, and the case isconstructed so as to bend without pinching. The casing is preferablyconstructed of water-proof material and protects the parachute fromrain, moisture, dust and dirt. The open end of the casing is protectedby a hood which slips over the end.

When the user of my parachute jumps, the pack, being attached by meansof the straps to the harness at or near the shoulders of the user, iscaught by the air stream and assumes a position above the user. In thisposition it acts as a tail, serving not only to keep the user fallingbelow it, but also to prevent tumbling and twisting during initialdescent. Thus, prior to the opening of the parachute, the user tends toassume a falling position feet first, with the pack located hood end upand above the users head. This eliminates fouling, removes the pack asfar as possible from the person of the user, and positions the packproperly for the release of the parachute.

The hood is removed from the pack either through the action of a staticline attached to the airplane or through the action of a removal chutereleased by a release cord or rip-cord. A pilot chute is releasedthereby, and acts to withdraw the main parachute from the pack. Thedisposition of the parachute in the pack is such that it may be almostif not quite fully elongated before it is completely withdrawn. The

casing, as has been indicated, is an elongated casing and permits thisaction. Under the infiuence of the pilot chute, the main parachute isfully elongated and withdrawn from the easing in relatively still air.When the weight of the user overcomes the sustaining effect of the pilotchute, the main parachute is subjected to a slip stream of air whichdistends it, but this cannot occur until the main parachute has beenfully withdrawn and elongated, as will now be evident.

Referring to Figures 1, 2 and 3, the casing for my pack has animperforate front member I,

a top closure member 2, side members 3 and 4 and a back portionhereinafter described. The member 2 is a top member when the pack isworn by the airman, but as pointed out above, the closure member 26 willbe at the top when the pack is in position above the user, as in a jump.The casing is made preferably of flexible water-proof material. The sidemembers 3 and 4 are of generally rectangular shape to enable the pack toassume the position shown in Figure 3 when the user is seated. In theregions 3a and 4a these portions are slightly wider, whereby the seatportion is somewhat thicker than the back portion. Since this region isadjacent the open end of the casing, withdrawal of the parachute isfacilitated. The back portion of the pack is made openable for cleaningand repacking. Preferably it is formed of parts 5, 6 and 'I, the parts 5and 6 being joined by a zipper 8 and the parts 5 and 6 being joinedrespectively to part I by zippers 9 and Ill. The zippers are preferablyof the separable variety so that the parts forming the back may be laidentirely open. The parachute straps II, I2, I3 and I4 enter the pack andmay be fastened thereto as at I5. Continuations of these straps will beunderstood as attached to a parachute harness or provided withfastenings for that purpose as clearly shown in Figure 5.

In Figure 5 I have shown the dispostion of the parachute in the pack.The parachute cords, some of which are indicated collectively at I6 areattached to the usual rings I1 on the ends of the parachute straps.These cords are taken up in zigzag formation and are held by the usualelastic bands I8 or other suitable fastening means to the front panel Iof the casing in such manner that they can easily be disengaged. Thefolding of the parachute is commenced with the bottom portion of theparachute (i. e. the edges to which the cords are attached) fouledtoward the top or closed end of the casing and then back upon itself asat I9. The bottom edge of the parachute being the most voluminous partof it fills out the casing at this point, compensating for the thicknessof the cords, disposed as shown. The folding of the parachute is thencontinued toward the bottom or open end of the casing, a portion of theparachute covering the cords as at 20 and other portions being reverselyfolded as at 2| to pad out the seat portion of the casing:

The extreme top of the parachute as at 22 is 10- cated adjacent the openend of the casing where it is attached to a pilot chute indicated at 23.The parachute is thus in a position to be withdrawn from the casingthrough the open end thereof in a progressive manner, i. e. topforemost. The parachute is not released in a folded mass as in manypacks but instead must be progressively drawn out and extended; and theextension of the parachute occurs prior to the releasing of theparachute cords. Indeed, the bottom end or skirt portion of theparachute is the last portion to leave the casing, the remainder of theparachute being first fully extended. Then the cords are released. As Ihave explained, the subjecting of the parachute to a stream of aircapable of inflating it does not occur until the parachute and its cordsare fully extended and the weight of the falling user begins to overcomethe lift power of the pilot chute. At Ha I have shown steering linesfastened to the rings I1. These hang down in use to a position wherethey may be conveniently grasped by the Jumper.

As indicated, the packing of the parachute in the casing is done looselyand not under heavy compressive pressure.

As in Figure 6, I may make the back portion of my casing with over-widthflaps 5a and Ba capable, after the parachute has been packed, of forminga fold as indicated at 24, which fold can be held over on the body ofthe casing by means of fasteners 25. The members 25 may be conicalmetallic elements fastened to the panel 6, and arranged to cooperatewith aligned grommets 5b and 6b in the flaps 5a and 6a. The members 25are perforated near their ends to accept locking pins 25a which serve tomaintain the grommets 5b and 6b in position. The pins 25!! are attachedat appropriately spaced points to a pull tape or line 25b which isitself attached to the cords of the pilot chute as clearly shown inFigure '7. When the pilot chute starts to pull the main chute out of thepack, the several pins 25a will be pulled out, releasing the grommets 5band 6b and causing the casing to expand so that the main chute may bepulled out more readily. The use of over-width flaps as described isalso of value where the same casing is to be used at different times forthe packing of larger or smaller parachutes since its internal volumecan thus be adjusted. Of course if a chute is picked which fills thecasing with the flaps open, the pins 25a and 25b will be omitted.

The casing is completed by a cap-like hood of open ended box shapedesigned to fit over the 4313811 'end of the casing. It comprises afront panel 2, a back panel '21, and a side and end closure strip 23."It is designed tobeheld to the casing by a suitable releasablefastening 'means. I may employ for thi-s purpose snap fasteners. A cord'29 (which may be the static line from an airplane) enters and leavesthe hood through an opening shown zit-3'6 in-Figure 1. The intermediatebulk of the'cord is looped or oollectedwithin the hood as at 33 inFigure 4 where the loops are held by suitable elastic bands-or the like32. .An interior 'flap *may be provided within the hood to keep theloops froni contact with other flexible flaps maybe held in closedposition by means 0; snap fasteners such as are indicated :at'fJ i.

I have shown the end of the static limestrt achedas at=to a secondcordor tape ddwhich {enters beneath the hood panels 26 and '2? as shown.There it-is joincdasat Bl-to a plurality of branch cords or ta es 35agoing to vari snap fastener heads on-a sub-panel 426a underlyingpanelZ-t and on the panel 2 It will -be noted in Figure 2 that I carrythese tapes ever and beneath the heads of snap fasteners 38 eoactingwith tastener bases 39 on the rear flapsof the parachute casing. Theresult of this construction is to cause the tapes 35a to'exert .upon:thefast'ener heads 38 both a lifting .and a tilting motion to insurethe separation of the fasteners.

As another feature of the construction of the hood. I prefer to providewithin it a free ended flap d of considerable length. The pilot chute asshown in 'igures '5, 8a and 9, is rolled in so that when the hood isremoved from the casing, the pilotichute will first be unrolledtanddistended so asto withdrawthe main parachu'te, as explained above.

Considering th cord or "tape 29 to be a static line attached .toanairplane, it will be evident that when i the :user jumps the A loopedportions of thcline .29 firstl'come out of the hood to permit the userto fall clear of the airplane itself. When the static line 25 has beenfully withdrawn, it then acts through the colder tape 36 to release thefasteners'andrpull the hood from the casing. :As the hood is thusremoved'the pilot chute is likewise withdrawn and extended as has beendescribed. Thelhoodzin this instance stays with the static line. Thecasing, now open at its end, will haveassurned an upward position, asinchcated in Figure 7 and as previously described. Inthatfiguretllindicates cords to the pilotchute (not shown); and the mainchute is beginning to be withdrawn top .first from the casing feat 32.Theuser will be falling below thecasing, already been pointed out.

Where the parachute is not to beoperated by a static line but rather bya rip-cord under th controlof the user, various means may be employed tobring about the release of a pilot chute. 'One of these meansconiprisesa small removal chutathe purpose of which is to pull the hood fromthe-casing. have shown anover-flap 53 attached to one of the panels'Qtor2-l of the hood. This over-flap forms with adjacent parts of the hooda sort of pocket in which a removal chute shown at -54 in Figure 9 maybe fastened externally of the hood.

The overflap is provided with large grommets 113a; and in packing, theoverflap '58 is reversely folded and the grommets 43a are passed overthe male elements '39 of the snap fasteners which .hold the hood :inplace.

In "Figures 6 to 10 inclusive I Thus, whenthe female elements =38 of thesnap fasteners ar e secured, theyho'ld the over'flap E3 in p0sition. .Arip cord isprovided at ili for releasing the over'flap so that theremoval chute can become =operative. As shown in Figure 11 one releasemeans comprises 'a metal fitting 59 riveted or othenwise attached to thetape 38, and perforated as at 59 so that the 1 two parts of *th'e snapfastener can be snapped together .through the perforation. The fittingin the perforated-area has an inclinedportion-dl and an :end 52therebeyond, wliichrencl isefectively thickened as by rolling themetal-as shown. When a snap fastener is snapped together through theperforation fiathe result of -'-a longitudinal :pull on the tape 58 is'to apply mot-only a separating force but a Itiltingforoe' t'o the f-as-.tener parts..- as :will be evident.

The rip-cord will be brought to :a positi'on of convenient access to theuser of the lparachute and for this purpose may be slidably housed-initapegguides -53 .on' thecasing and, .if desired, also on the parachuteharness. 'When -theparachute iuserzpullsithe rip-cord the over-flap 431s freed rand the zremoval .chute released, a and the side: of the Ehood25 under the flap-43 'is also released. The removal chute is attached toa short cord 2902 responding to cold for tape 23 and: acting as ihas-hereinalbove been set forth to release the fasteners which hold thehoodto "the other side :of the .casing. -Aslthe userfalls the hood iscar- :ried away from the :casing and "the pilot-=chute -23 :is .releasedfrom the nap id as has already @heen .Loleseribed. lTheihood and itsremoval: chute i be freed entirely from the remainder of my structure.by permitting the rip cord i'fi to slide ithrough the guidesleeve ht orby arranging the 'strengthzof :the rip-cord so that it will break-after;thew.rem'o.val.oftthe hood.

It will be clear that when the pack is arranged:asabove.described,:a:static line may still*be=-em- :ployed asindicatedat fill'in Figure 8a. If the static 'linelis used, .it will beclear from aconsideration .of this figure, "that the tapes36a willrelease the snap tfasteners as 'heretofore described, whereupon thehood-Will 'be pulled 'off and the flap-543 willalso beforced.The-removal chute in this instance performs .n'o use'ful funo- 'tion.When the static line 'iSlIlOll used, the=re- :moval 'chuteiis necessaryto the removalof the .hood.

Modifications may be .made in my invention without departing :from thespirit of it. For :example, the casin :may "be "closed at its open endby removable "means other than the hood :which I have specificallydescribed and various means maybe em'ployedto open such a-closure,suchimeansibeing preferably ones which will insure :the freeing andopening of the'pilot chute. :advantageof the hood construction is 'notsonly that it effectively closes the open end of the casing againstrain, dust and dirt, but-also when removed, leaves the casing end in awidely open condition and without obstructions which might interferewith the withdrawalof the parachute. It may be noted thatin my preferredconstruction my casing is thicker at the open end than-atthe closed end,thus making it very easy towithdraw the main parachute and eliminatingfrictional resistance.

Having thus described my invention .in certain exemplary embodiments,what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a parachute pack construction,.a casing "of elongatedform closed'ationeend and open at the-othen'said'casing adapted'to contain aparachute with which a pilot chute is associated, and attachable toparachute straps whereby it and the parachute may be attached to aparachute harness, means for closing the open end of said casing, saidcasing adapted to trail above the head of a parachute user during hisinitial descent and control his fall, and controllable means for openingsaid closure and releasing said pilot chute whereby the pilot chute isenabled to withdraw said parachute from said casing and elongate itprior to the distension of said parachute.

2. The structure claimed in claim 1 wherein said elongated casing is ofsufficient length when located on the back of the parachute user toprovide both a back rest and a seat portion.

3. The structure claimed in claim 1 wherein said elongated casing is ofsufficient length when located on the back of the parachute used toprovide both a back rest and a seat portion, and wherein said means forclosing said casing is a hood portion covering the open end thereof,releasable means for attaching said hood to said casing, an interiorflap fastened to said hood with which said pilot chute may be associatedby rolling so that the removal of said hood results in the release andunrolling of said pilot chute prior to the withdrawal of said parachutefrom said casing.

4. The structure claimed in claim 1 wherein said elongated casing is ofsuflicient length when located on the back of the parachute user topro-- vide both a back rest and a seat portion, and wherein said meansfor closing said casing is a hood portion covering the open end thereof,releasable means for attaching said hood to said casing, an interiorflap fastened to said hood with which said pilot chute may be associatedby rolling so that the removal of said hood results in the release andunrolling of said pilot J5 chute prior to the withdrawal of saidparachute from said casing, a cord associated with said hood andoperatively connected with the said releasable fastening means therefor.

5. The structure claimed in claim 1 wherein said elongated casing is ofsufiicient length when located on the back of the parachute user toprovide both a back rest and a seat portion, and wherein said means forclosing said casing is a hood portion covering the open end thereof,releasable means for attaching said hood to said casing, an interiorflap fastened to said hood with which said pilot chute may be associatedby rolling so that the removal of said hood results in the release andunrolling of said pilot chute prior to the withdrawal of said parachutefrom said casing, a cord associated with said hood and operativelyconnected with the said releasable fastening means therefor whereby apull on said cord resulting in positive removal of said hood, said cordbeing a static line, a substantial length of said static line containedwithin said hood and withdrawable therefrom prior to the removal of saidhood, said cord length located in said hood beneath an interior flaptherein.

downwardly over the back of the parachute user, said casing beingflexible so as to bend to provide a back rest and seat for the user.

7. In a parachute pack construction, an elongated casing comprisingfront and back panel forming members, an end closure member and sideclosure members of substantially rectangular formation, said casingadapted to contain a folded parachute, straps associated with saidcasing and by means of which it and the parachute may be attached to aparachute harness near shoulder portions thereof, said casing positionedto hang downwardly over the back of the parachute user, said casingbeing flexible so as to bend to provide a back rest and seat for theuser, said casing being thicker in the seat portion than in the saidback portion, an open end in said casing at the edge of said seatportion, the increasing thickness of said casing toward said open endfacilitating removal of a parachute packed therein.

8. In a parachute pack construction, an elongated casing comprisingfront and back panel forming members, an end closure member and sideclosure members of substantially rectangular formation, said casingadapted to contain a folded parachute, straps associated with saidcasing by means of which it and the parachute may be attached to aparachute harness near shoulder portions thereof, said casing positionedto hang downwardly over the back of the parachute user, said casingbeing flexible so as to bend to provide a back rest and seat for theuser, said casing being thicker in the seat portion than in the saidback portion, an open end in said casing at the edge of said seatportion, the increasing thickness of said casing toward said open endfacilitating removal of a parachute packed therein, one of said panelforming members divided into flaps with releasable fastening meansjoining the edges of said flaps, said flaps operable to open up saidcasing substantially throughout its length for the packing of aparachute therein.

9. In a parachute pack construction, an elongated casing comprisingfront and back panel forming members, an end closure member and sideclosure members of substantially rectangular formation, said casingadapted to contain a folded parachute, straps associated with saidcasing by means of which it and the parachute may be attached to aparachute harness near shoulder portions thereof, said casing positionedto hang downwardly over the back of the parachute user, said casingbeing flexible so as to bend to provide a back rest and seat for theuser, said casing being thicker in the seat portion than in the saidback portion, an open end in said casing at the edge of said seatportion, the increasing thickness of said casing toward said open endfacilitating removal of a parachute packed therein, one of said panelforming members divided into flaps with releasable fastening meansjoining the edges of said flaps, said flaps operable to open up saidcasing substantially throughout its length for the packing of aparachute therein, in combination with a hood member adapted to passover the open end of said casing and releasable means for fastening saidhood to said casing.

10. In a parachute pack construction, an elongated casing comprisingfront and back panel forming members, an end closure member and sideclosure members of substantially rectangular formation, said casingadapted to contain a folded atlases parachute, straps associatedWithisaid; casing: by means of which: it and theparachutemay be-xatatached to a parachute harness, near shoulder portions thereof, saidcasing positioned to. hang downwardly over, the, back of the parachuteusers, said casing being fiexibierso-asto:bend to, pro,- vide a backrest and seat for the user; said casing being thicker in the" seatportion than: in the said back portion, an=openend in saidcasing at theedge of said seat portiomthe, in creasing-thick+ ness of saidcasing'towa-rd said open end facilitate ing removal of aparachute-packed ther'ein;,one of said panel forming members dividedinto flaps withreleasable fastening means joining-thesedges of saidflaps, said-fiapsoperable' toopenupsaid casing substantially, throughoutits length for the packing of a parachutatherein,inoombinationwith ahoodmember; adapted to pass over the open end of said: casingandreleasable means for fastening said hood to said casing, aside panelsecured to said hood, and an inner flap spaced therefrom, snap. fastenerpartson said inner fiap,,said fasteners .cooperating with snap fastenerparts on. said casing, and a removal line passing. between, said panel:and said flap, porti'onsof saidremoval line associatedwithcer tain ofsaidsnap-fastener parts by passing over and then beneath them whereby a;pull on: said cordwill exerta. lifting and; tilting. forceon said snapfastener. parts torelease them.

11.. In. aparachute pack-construction, an elongated casing comprisingfront and back panel forming. members, an end closure member. and sideclosure members of, substantially rectangular formation, said casingadapted to contain a foldedparachute, strapsiassociated with saidcasingby meansof Whichlt andzthe parachute may be attached toparachute:harnessznear shoulder portions thereof, said casing positionedto hang downwardly over. the backof, the. parachute. user, said casingbeingfiexible so; asto bend: to provide a back rest and seat. for theuser, said casing being thicker in the seat poritionithanin the saidback portion, an open end1in saidcasing at the edge of said, seat,portion, the, increasing thickness of said casing. toward: said open;end facilitating removalof (a; parachute packed-there:- in, one ofsaid:panel formingsmembersidividediine to flaps with releasablefastening means joining the edges-of said flaps, said flaps operable toopen up said casingsubstdntially throughout its length for the packingof a parachute therein, in combinatiom with hood: member adapted to passover the open end of said casing: and releasable means for fasteningsaidhoodlto said. casing, a side panel secured to said hood and an innerflap. spaced therefrom, snap fastener parts onsaid inner flap, saidfasteners" cooperating with snap fastener parts on said casing, aremoval line passing between saidpane'l and;said flap, portions of saidremoval line associated with certainiof said'snap'fastener parts'bypassing over and then beneath themnvhereby: apull. on said cord willexert a lifting and tilting force on said snap fastener parts torelease, them, and an interior free endedflap secured to saidhood forassociation with a pilot chute.

12. in a parachute pack construction, an elongated casing comprisingfront and back panel forming members, an end closure member and sideclosure members of substantially rectangular formation, said casingadapted to contain a folded parachute, straps associated with saidcasing by means of which it and the parachute may be attached to apara-chute harness near shoulder portions thereof; 7 said: casing;positioned to hang downwardly over the back of the. parachute user, saidcasing-being flexible so -as to bend to provide a back rest and seat forthe user, said casing beingthicker in the seat." portion than in thesaid back portioman open end; in said casing at the edge of said seat.portion, the increasingthickness of Saidcasing; toward said open endfacilitating removal of a parachute-packed. therein, one of said panelforming members divided into flaps with-releasable fasteninggmeansjoining the edges of'saidufiaps, said flapsoperable toopen up saidcasing substantially throughout its length for the packing of aparachute therein, in combination with a lioodimember-adapted, to passover the open end. of. said casing and releasable means for fasteningsaid-hood to said casing, aside panel; secured to. said hood and aninner flap spaced;therefrom, snap fastener parts on said inner; flap,a,said fastenersi cooperating with snap fastener parts on said: casing, aremoval line passing between said paneland said flap, portions of. saidi removal line associated with certain of said snap fastener parts-ibypassing over and then beneath them wherebyla pull on said cordWill-exert 1a liftingand tilting force on said snap fastener partsv torelease them, and an interior freezendedrfiap securedxto saidihoodtforassociation: with a pilot chute, and a slack portion in said: cord:accumulatedreleasably beneath: a panel of said hood andprotected-therein by. an interior flap; I

13. In a parachute-pack construction, an elongated casing comprisingfront and back panel forming members, an end closure member and side;closure members of substantially rectangular formation, said casingadapted to, contain a folded-parachute, strapsassociated with said cas"ing by means of; whichwitandthe parachute may be attachedrto' aparachute harness near shoulder portions thereof, said casing positionedto hang downwardly over theback of; the parachute user, said casing-1being flexible so as to bend to provide a: back rest and seat for theuser,: said casings'being thicker in the seat portion than in thesaidback portion, an open. end in said cas ing: atjv the edge of said' seatportion, the increasingcthickness of saidncasin'g toward said open. endfacilitating removal: of. a parachute packed there'- in, one of saidpanel forrni'ngmembers divided iii-- toflaps with releasable fasteningmeans joining the edges: of. said flaps; said. flaps operable to open upsaid casing substantially throughout its length for the packing of aparachute therein, in combination with a hood member adapted to passover-the open-end'of'said casing and releasable means-for fastening saidhoodto said casing, a side panel securedto said hood and an inner flapspaced therefrom, snap fastener parts on said inner'fiap; said fastenerscooperatingwith snapfastenerparts on said casing, a removalline passingbetween saidpanel and said flap, portions of' said removal line.associated with certain of said snap fastener parts b passing overandthen beneath themv whereby a pull on said cord will exert a liftingand tilting force on said snap fastener parts to release them, and aninterior free ended flap secured to said hood for association with apilot chute, an, over-flap associated with one of the panels of saidhood and forming therewith a pocket in which a removal chute is located,releasable fastening means for said overflap and a second cordassociated therewith in such manner as to release said fastening means,

11 said pilot chute attached to said first mentioned cord whereby a pullexerted by said removal chute will result in freeing and removal of saidhood.

14. In a parachute pack construction, an elongated casing comprisingfront and back panel forming members, an end closure member and sideclosure members of substantially rectangular formation, said casingadapted to contain a folded parachute, straps associated with saidcasing by means of which it and the parachute may be attached to aparachute harness near shoulder portions thereof, said casing positionedto hang downwardly over the back of the parachute user, said casingbeing flexible so as to bend to provide a back rest and seat for theuser, said casing being thicker in the seat por tion than in the saidback portion, an open end in said casing at the edge of said seatportion, the increasing thickness of said casing toward said open endfacilitating removal of a parachute packed therein, one of said panelforming members divided into flaps with releasable fastening meansjoining the edges of said flaps, said flaps operable to open up saidcasing substantially throughout its length for the packing of aparachute therein, said flaps being wider than half the width of saidpanel forming member whereby to produce slackness which may be gatheredin a fold, and releasable fastening means to hold said fold closed.

15. In a parachute pack, an elongated casing closed at one end and madeof flexible material, a parachute, straps associated with said parachuteand the closed end of said casing, cords associated with said straps,said cords accumulated by doubling and releasably fastened to saidcasing, interiorly thereof and intermediate the ends of said casing,said parachute loosely packed in said casing in such manner that theskirt of said parachute is located adjacent the closed end of saidcasing, said parachute folded intermediate the ends of said casing, saidfolds disposed so that the top end of said parachute lies adjacent theopen end of said casing, said parachute withdrawable from said casingprogressively in such manner that the withdrawal of both parachute andcords may be accomplished prior to the exertion of a substantialdownward pull on said parachute through said straps, said casingsufliciently long to form both a back portion and a seat portion andbendable to relate said portions angularly to each other.

16. In a parachute pack, an elongated casing closed at one end and madeof flexible material, a parachute, straps associated with said parachuteand the closed end of said casing, cords associated with said straps,said cords accumulated by doubling and releasably fastened to saidcasing, interiorly thereof and intermediate the ends of said casing,said parachute loosely packed in said casing in such manner that theskirt of said parachute is located. adjacent the closed end of saidcasing, said parachute folded intermediate the ends of said casing, saidfolds disposed so that the top end of 12 said parachute lies adjacentthe open end of said casing, said parachute withdrawable from saidcasing progressively in such manner that the withdrawal of bothparachute and cords may be accomplished prior to the exertion of asubstantial downward pull on said parachute through said straps, saidcasing sufficiently long to form both a back portion and a seat portionand bendable to relate said portions angularly to each other, incombination with a hood passed over the open end of said casing andreleasably associated therewith, a pilot chute associated with saidparachute, and means for releasably associating said pilot chute withsaid hood whereby removal of said hood results in removal and release ofsaid pilot chute.

17. The structure claimed in claim 1, includin steering linesattached tosaid parachute straps and positioned to hang down within easy reach ofthe user.

18. In a parachute pack construction comprising an elongated casing openat one end, said open end closed by a hood releasably fastened thereto,said casing adapted to contain a parachute and a pilot chute, a staticline, means for releasing said releasable fastenings in response totension on said static line, said hood provided with an overflap havingenlarged openings along its free edge, the free edge of said overfiapturned under and fastened under an edge of said hood with said openingsengaging said releasable fastenings, a rip cord, and means to releasesaid fastenings in response to tension on said rip cord, and a removalchute arranged within said overflap and attached to said hood to removethe same, said tension responsive means alternatively operable withoutinterference with each other.

19. A device according to claim 18, in which said releasable fasteningscomprise snap fasteners, and in which the openings along the free edgeof the overflap are engaged around said snap fasteners, said means torelease said fastenings comprising apertured members engaged between theelements of said snap fasteners and provided with cam surfaces, wherebya pull on said rip cord positively forces the elements of said snapfasteners apart.

CARL L. NOELCKE, SR.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,269,474 Stevens Mar. 26, 19181,838,970 Trican Dec. 29, 1931 1,909,158 Albihn May 16, 1933 2,149,540Muller Mar. 7, 1939 2,384,651 Smith Sept. 11, 1945 FOREIGN PATENTSNumber Country Date 458,281 Great Britain Dec. 16, 1936 538,414 FranceMar. 18, 1922

